Hybrid roller mop

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hybrid roller mop having a handle, a mop head with a slot defined therein, a cleaning member and a lever mechanism. The mop head can be connected to the handle at one end and have rollers connected at the other end and spaced by the slot defined in the mop head. The cleaning member and lever mechanism can be connected together by a linkage disposed in the mop handle. The lever mechanism can be configured for raising and lowering the cleaning member between the rollers and into the slot of the mop head in order to wring out excess liquid from the mop. The cleaning member can have a generally inverted “V” shape that can lie flat against a floor or similar surface and can be folded into a compressed position when pulled between the rollers and into the slot of the mop head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/264,846, filed Dec. 8, 2015 titled HYBRID ROLLER MOP, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a floor mop, and, more particularly, to a sponge roller mop having a wringer mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard floor mops commonly include a flattened rectangular sponge attached to the mop base. The flattened rectangular shape of the sponge provides an increased contact surface area with the floor and allows the user of the mop to easily move the mop head both a forward direction and a backward direction. However, standard floor mops of this type can be difficult to use because they generally do not incorporate an efficient way to wring out the sponge to remove excess liquid. One solution to this problem is the wringer roller mop. Wringer roller mops commonly include a sponge component that is retractable between a pair of space-apart rollers allowing the sponge to be compressed and wrung out, removing excess liquid, dirt, etc. In order for the sponge to be retracted between the rollers, it has a rounded shape with curved sides that allow the sponge to move easily between the rollers. However, the rounded shape and curved sides cause the sponge to bunch up against the direction of movement when the mop is in use, making the mop less efficient at moving forwards and backwards. Further, the rounded profile of the sponge causes less contact surface area during use.

Thus, a need exists for a sponge mop having both the advantages of a standard floor mop and a wringer roller mop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hybrid roller mop having a foldable and retractable cleaning member. The roller mop may include an elongated handle, a mop head, a cleaning member and a lever mechanism for selectively moving the cleaning member between different positions relative to the mop head. The elongated handle may be constructed as a conventional rod or shaft and may have a hollowed interior. The mop head may be connected to one end of the elongated handle and may be constructed as a frame or housing having a receiving slot defined at least partially through the mop head. The mop head may additionally include a plurality of spaced apart rollers positioned below the receiving slot.

The cleaning member may be a sponge or other suitable type of mop cleaning member structure and may be configured with a rectangular shape according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning member may include a bottom surface or side and may have a plurality of sidewalls extending upward therefrom. The cleaning member may additionally include a folding region extending longitudinally through the cleaning member and creating first and second member regions on each side of the folding region. The folding region may be specifically configured to allow the cleaning member to fold about the folding region so as to press the first and second member regions together. The cleaning member may further include a raised portion above the folding region which may be adapted to be attached to a backing portion. The backing portion may facilitate connection of the cleaning member to the rest of the mop.

The cleaning member may be connected to the remainder of the mop by a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism may include a linkage component in the form of a wire or rod that is connected at one end to the backing portion of the cleaning member. The linkage component may extend through the mop head and into the hollow interior of the elongated handle. Intermediately positioned along the elongated handle may be a lever handle which may be connected to the second end of the linkage component via a linkage connector.

The lever mechanism may be configured to lift and lower the cleaning member relative to the mop head by raising and lowering the lever handle. When a user raises the lever handle, this may cause the linkage component to pull up on the cleaning member, which is attached to the linkage component via the backing portion. Upon lifting the lever handle, the cleaning member may begin to fold along the longitudinal folding region and enter into the receiving slot of the mop head. The size and shape of the receiving slot may cause the cleaning member to become compressed in order to “wring out” or otherwise remove liquid from the cleaning member.

The mop can be configured for placement in different positions by raising and lowering the lever handle of the lever mechanism. When the lever handle is in a fully lowered position, the cleaning member may be configured to be placed below the spaced apart rollers and the mop head in a flattened or use position. When resting against a surface or floor in this position, the cleaning member may have a flattened shape where its bottom surface rests substantially on the floor.

When the lever handle is raised into an intermediate position, the cleaning member may fold about the folding region, which may be facilitated by the positioning of the spaced apart rollers, and enter the receiving slot of the mop head. When the lever handle is in the intermediate position, the cleaning member may be in a partially retracted scrubbing position where a majority of the cleaning member is received within the slot, but the sides of the cleaning member may remain below the spaced apart rollers. This allows the mop to efficiently be used to scrub more difficult debris on a floor surface. To increase the scrubbing capabilities of the mop in this position, the sides of the cleaning member may have scrubbing pads attached thereto. In order to allow the lever handle to be retained in its intermediate position, a rotatable component having a notched defined therethrough may be attached to the elongated handle. The notch may then be rotated below the lever handle so that it cannot be moved from its intermediate position.

When the lever handle is lifted further upward from the intermediate position, it may be placed into a fully retracted position where the cleaning member is substantially positioned within the receiving slot and above the lower end of the mop head. This allows the cleaning member to be fully “wrung out” in order to remove liquid from the cleaning member. The lever handle may then be moved to the lowered position to continue use of the mop with the cleaning member in the lowered use position.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hybrid roller mop according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1 illustrating a mop head and sponge;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a hybrid roller mop according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a mop head and sponge;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the mop in a use configuration;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the mop in a use configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the position of a lever mechanism when the mop is in a use configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the mop in a scrubbing configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the mop head and sponge when the mop is in a scrubbing configuration;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the mop head and sponge when the mop is in a scrubbing configuration;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the position of a lever mechanism when the mop is in a scrubbing configuration;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the position of the lever mechanism when the mop is in a scrubbing configuration;

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the mop head and sponge when the mop is in a fully retracted configuration;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the position of the lever mechanism when the mop is in a fully retracted position; and

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the position of a lever mechanism when the mop is in a fully retracted position.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

Referring to the drawings particularly by reference numbers wherein like numerals refer to like parts, FIG. 1 illustrates a hybrid roller mop 10 comprising an elongated handle 12, a mop head 14, a cleaning member 16, and a lever mechanism 18 for moving cleaning member 16 at least partially in and out of mop head 14 as described in greater detail below. Handle 12 can comprise an elongated rod or shaft constructed from any suitable material commonly used for construction of mop or broom handles. Handle 12 can also comprise a hollow core for housing a linkage component 56 (shown in at least FIG. 4) for connecting cleaning member 16 and lever mechanism 18 as described in greater detail below. As shown in FIG. 2, handle 12 can also be connected to mop head 14 at its first end 26 via a threaded connection or any other suitable construction.

Mop head 14 can comprise a frame or housing that enables cleaning member 16 to move vertically within mod head 14. As best shown in FIG. 2, at least two spaced apart rollers 22 can be connected to a second end 28 of mop head 14. Rollers 22 can be either fixedly attached to mop head 14 or rotatably attached to mop head 14 depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. Defined in mop head 14 and between rollers 22 can be a housing or receiving slot 24 that can extend from second or bottom end 28 and through each lateral end of mop head 14. Receiving slot 24 can be configured for receiving cleaning member 16 after cleaning member 16 has moved vertically past rollers 22 as described in greater detail below.

Cleaning member 16 can comprise a generally rectangular shape (such as a rectangular prism or hyperrectangle) as shown in FIG. 2. It will be understood that a conventional cleaning member shape, with a more rounded shape and curved sides that allow the cleaning member 16 to move easily between rollers, may also be used. Cleaning member 16 can further be constructed from any number of suitable materials, such as a sponge-type material. As also shown in FIG. 2, cleaning member 16 can include a backing 30 connected to a raised portion 32 of cleaning member 16. Backing 30 can comprise an elongated channel or plate molded or formed to raised portion 32 of cleaning member 16 and extending at least part of the length of cleaning member 16. Backing 30 can also enable cleaning member 16 to be permanently or removably connected to lever mechanism 18 via the linkage component 56. An adhesive or other suitable securing means can be used to connect backing 30 to the top of raised portion 32. Preferably, backing 30, which can comprise a more rigid material than the remainder of cleaning member 16, can have a width less than that of receiving slot 24 in order to allow backing 30 to slide up and down within mop head 14. The body of cleaning member 16 can comprise a folding region 34 beneath backing 30, and first and second member regions 36 and 38, respectively, on each side of folding region 34. As illustrated in the figures, folding region 34 can extend longitudinally through cleaning member 16. Both first and second member regions 36 and 38 can include a top side 40, bottom side 42 and a front or rear longitudinal side 44, as best shown in FIG. 3. Longitudinal sides 44 can optionally include scrubber pads 46, as shown in FIG. 4, depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, cleaning member 16 can have a generally flattened rectangular shape when resting on a floor or similar surface. However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, cleaning member 16 can actually have more of an inverted “V” shape when not resting on a surface, due to the positioning of backing 30 and the configuration of folding region 34 between first and second member regions 36 and 38. In such an embodiment, folding region 34 can be designed with reduced rigidity and increased pliability in order to facilitate sponge 16 folding along an axis extending through backing 30 and folding region 34.

Lever mechanism 18 (including linkage component 56) can be configured for raising and lowering cleaning member 16 within receiving slot 24 of mop head 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-14. According to one embodiment, as illustrated in the various figures, lever mechanism 18 includes a lever handle 20 which is connected to linkage component 56 via linkage connector 52 in order to allow a user to activate lever mechanism 18 by raising and lowering lever handle 20. The linkage component 56 can comprise a wire or rod that extends from lever handle 20 located at an intermediate position on elongated handle 12, through the interior of handle 12, into mop head 14, and to cleaning member 16. The linkage component 56 can further be connected to lever handle 20 via a linkage connector 52 at one end and connected to backing 30 of cleaning member 16 at the other end. Lever mechanism 18 can be configured for causing the linkage component 56 to raise and lower cleaning member 16 within receiving slot 24 of mop head 14.

When lever handle 20 is lifted upwards, it can cause the linkage 56 to pull cleaning member 16 upward and into receiving slot 24 as shown in FIG. 7. As further shown in FIG. 8, when cleaning member 16 is lifted into receiving slot 24, it folds along a longitudinal axis defined by folding region 34 due to cleaning member's 16 position relative to slot receiving slot 24 and the plurality of spaced-apart rollers 22 restricting the movement of sponge 16. As a result of the spacing between the rollers 22, when cleaning member 16 moves upward, it is folded along folding region 34 and first and second regions 36 and 38 compress against one another and against the rollers 22. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the width between rollers 22 (and the width of receiving slot 24) is less than the thickness of the folded cleaning member 16 in order to cause the first and second member regions 36 and 38 to be effectively compressed together when located within slot 24 and between rollers 22.

FIGS. 1-6 show mop 10 in a first or use configuration. As shown in FIG. 4 and as noted above, cleaning member 16 can have a generally inverted “V” shape that can be caused by the folding region 34 and the spacing of rollers 22. When in the first configuration, cleaning member 16 can be in a use position and cleaning member backing 30 and cleaning member raised portion 32 can be positioned between the spaced apart rollers 22 while the remainder of cleaning member 16 is positioned below rollers 22. This can allow first and second member regions 36 and 38 of cleaning member 16 to flatten out when cleaning member 16 as placed into contact with the floor or other surface as shown in FIG. 3. The positioning of the rollers 22 above cleaning member 16 can also assist cleaning member 16 in resting generally flat against the floor or other surface. As shown in FIG. 6, lever mechanism 18 (and lever handle 20) can be in a lowered position when mop 10 is in its first configuration and cleaning member 16 is in the use position. This can cause the linkage component 56 to extend into receiving slot 24 of mop frame 14 to prevent cleaning member 16 moving above rollers 22 and entering slot 24.

FIGS. 7-11 show mop 10 in a second or scrubbing configuration. As best shown in FIG. 8, when mop 10 is in the second configuration, cleaning member 16 is in a partially retracted scrubbing position and is positioned partially within receiving slot 24 of mop head 14. As a result of the spacing between rollers 22, cleaning member 16 can be forced to fold along folding region 34 so that first and second member regions 36 and 38 are positioned next to one another with their bottom sides 42 in contact. Because of the folding of cleaning member 16, front and rear longitudinal sides 44 of first and second member regions 36 and 38 can face in a general downward direction. As further shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, longitudinal sides 44, and scrubbing pads 46 connected thereto, can extend below rollers 22 because cleaning member 16 is only partially positioned within receiving slot 24. As a result, scrubbing pads 46 can engage the floor or other surface and can be used to remove more difficult stains, debris, etc. from the floor or other surface. When mop 10 is in the second configuration, lever handle 20 can be in a partially raised position.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, lever handle 20 can be raised from its lowered position to an intermediate position to place mop 10 in the second (scrubbing) configuration. As best shown in FIG. 11, a channel 48 can be defined in handle 12 at lever mechanism 18 in order to allow linkage connector 52 to raise and lower the linkage 56 via lever handle 20. As further shown in FIG. 11, lever mechanism 18 can further comprise a rotatable component 54 having a first notch 50 defined thereon that can restrict lever mechanism 18 from moving past the intermediate position. Rotatable component 54 can be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around handle 12 in order to cause notch 50 to prevent upward movement of linkage connector 52, thereby preventing lever mechanism 18 from raising sponge 16 past rollers 22 and fully into receiving slot 24. Rotatable component 54 can then be further rotated in order to move notch 50 away from linkage connector 52 and allow further movement of lever mechanism 18.

FIGS. 12-14 show mop 10 in a third or wringing configuration. As best shown in FIG. 12, when mop 10 is in the third configuration, cleaning member 16 can be in a fully retracted position and can be positioned completely or almost completely within receiving slot 24. As a result, cleaning member backing 30 is raised almost to the top of receiving slot 30 and longitudinal sides 44 are positioned equal with or above rollers 22. Cleaning member 16 can remain folded about folding region 34 so that first and second member regions 36 and 38 remain partially compressed together by receiving slot 24 after moving above rollers 22. When in the third configuration, lever handle 20 can be placed in a fully raised position. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, lever mechanism 18 can be raised from its intermediate position (via lever handle 20) to a fully raised position to place mop 10 in the third configuration. Rotatable component 54 can be rotated in order to allow linkage connector 52 to travel along channel 48 until lever mechanism 18 is in its fully raised position.

When mop 10 is transitioned from its first configuration to its second and then third configurations, cleaning member 16 can be transitioned from its generally flatten shape (as shown in FIG. 3) or inverted “V” shape (as shown in FIG. 4) to a compressed folded shape (as shown in FIG. 12). During this process, first and second member regions 36 and 38 of cleaning member 16 are compressed together against one another and rollers 22 in order to “wring out” cleaning member 16 and excess liquid can be removed from cleaning member 16. As cleaning member 16 continues to rise past rollers 22 and into slot 24, it can continue to be wrung out until it becomes fully wrung out upon mop 10 reaching the third configuration. Mop 10 can then be returned back to its first configuration for further use.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel hybrid roller mop. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A hybrid roller mop comprising: an elongated handle; a mop head connected to said elongated handle and having a receiving slot defined therethrough; a retractable cleaning member positioned adjacent to said mop head; and a lever mechanism comprising a lever handle pivotably connected to said elongated handle and a linkage rod connecting said lever handle to said retractable cleaning member; wherein said lever mechanism is configured for selectively raising said retractable cleaning member into said receiving slot of said mop head by raising said lever handle.
 2. The hybrid roller mop of claim 1, wherein said retractable cleaning member comprises a first member region, a second member region, and a center folding region extending longitudinally through said retractable cleaning member and separating said first and said second member regions, wherein said center folding region causes said retractable cleaning member to fold about said center folding region when raised into said mop head.
 3. The hybrid roller mop of claim 2, wherein said retractable cleaning member further comprises a raised portion positioned above said center folding region and has a backing member attached thereto, wherein said backing member is attached to said linkage rod of said lever mechanism.
 4. The hybrid roller mop of claim 3 wherein said raised portion urges said retractable cleaning member to fold about said center folding region when raised into said mop head.
 5. The hybrid roller mop of claim 2, wherein said retractable cleaning member further comprises a substantially flattened rectangular bottom side extending across said first member region, said center folding region and said second member region when said retractable cleaning member is positioned on a floor surface and not retracted into said mop head.
 6. The hybrid roller mop of claim 5, wherein said retractable cleaning member further comprises a plurality of sides extending upward from said bottom side, said plurality of sides being substantially perpendicular to said bottom side.
 7. The hybrid roller mop of claim 6, wherein at least one side of said plurality of sides has a scrubbing pad attached thereto.
 8. The hybrid roller mop of claim 7, wherein said scrubbing pad has a downward facing orientation when said retractable cleaning member is retracted into said mop head.
 9. The hybrid roller mop of claim 1 further comprising at least two spaced apart rollers connected to said mop head directly below said receiving slot and on each side of said receiving slot.
 10. The hybrid roller mop of claim 1 further comprising: a channel defined into said elongated handle adjacent to said lever handle; and a linkage connecter extending through said channel and connecting said lever handle and said linkage rod contained within said elongated handle; wherein said channel has an elongated shape configured to allow said lever handle to be selectively moved between a lowered position and a fully raised position; wherein said lever handle raises said linkage rod within said elongated channel when said lever handle is moved between said lowered and fully raised positions.
 11. The hybrid roller mop of claim 10, wherein when said lever handle is in said lowered position, said linkage rod positions said retractable cleaning member into a use position where said retractable cleaning member is positioned below said mop head, and wherein when said lever handle is in said fully raised position said retractable cleaning member is in a fully retracted position wherein said retractable cleaning member is positioned within said mop head in a folded configuration.
 12. The hybrid roller mop of claim 11, wherein said lever mechanism further comprises a rotatable component positioned around said elongated handle and extending at least partially over said channel, wherein said rotatable component includes a notch defined therethrough and is configured for selective rotation around said elongated handle for positioning said notch over said channel.
 13. The hybrid roller mop of claim 12, wherein said notch is configured to receive said linkage connector when said rotatable component is rotated over said channel to maintain said lever handle in a partially raised position intermediate said lowered position and said fully raised position, wherein said linkage rod positions said retractable cleaning member in a partially retracted scrubbing position when said lever handle is in said partially raised position, wherein said retractable cleaning member is partially within said mop head when in said partially retracted scrubbing position.
 14. The hybrid roller mop of claim 13, wherein said retractable cleaning member includes front and rear sides, and wherein said front and rear sides remain positioned below said mop head when said and face away from said mop head when said retractable cleaning member is in said partially retracted scrubbing position.
 15. The hybrid roller mop of claim 14, wherein at least one of said front and said rear sides have a scrubbing pad attached thereto.
 16. A hybrid roller mop comprising: an elongated handle having a mop head connected to one end thereof; a slot defined partially through said mop head, said slot extending upward from a lower end of said mop head and at least partially along a height of said mop head; a pair of spaced apart rollers positioned on each side of said slot and directly below said mop head; a retractable cleaning member configured for being selectively positioned between a raised position within said slot and a lowered position below said mop head; and a lever mechanism configured for raising and lowering said retractable cleaning member between said raised and lowered positions, said lever mechanism comprising: a lever handle connected to said elongated handle; a linkage rod extending through said elongated handle and mop head and connecting said elongated handle to said retractable cleaning member; wherein said retractable cleaning member includes a center folding region extending longitudinally through said retractable cleaning member, said center folding region configured for urging said retractable cleaning member to fold in a longitudinal direction when entering said slot of said mop head.
 17. The hybrid roller mop of claim 16, wherein said retractable cleaning member has a rectangular shape and comprises a generally flat bottom side, front and rear sidewalls, and first and second member portions, said first and second member portions separated by said center folding region.
 18. The hybrid roller mop of claim 17, wherein said front and rear sidewalls include a scrubbing pad.
 19. The hybrid roller mop of claim 18, wherein said lever mechanism is configured to selectively retain said lever handle in an intermediate position where said retractable cleaning member is folded about said center folding region and partially received within said mop head, wherein said front and rear sidewalls remain below said mop head and spaced rollers when said lever handle is placed into said intermediate position.
 20. The hybrid roller mop of claim 19, wherein said lever mechanism includes a rotatable handle component positioned around said elongated handle and containing a notch for securing said lever handle in said intermediate position when said rotatable handle is rotated about said elongated handle. 